Collection Guide:
Some photos were previously assigned NH numbers.
S-082-A: 26 page report dated 17 October 1942 on the salvage of USS Oklahoma, USS Arizona (BB-39), USS Utah (AG-16).
S-082-B: Photos of personnel on and around the wreck of the USS Oklahoma. Seen are inspection teams, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Ralph Bard, Rear Admiral William Furlong, Admiral Chester Nimitz, Captain F.H. Whitaker. Views of models and mockups of USS Oklahoma used to plan salvage efforts, as well as engineering tests performed ashore in advance of righting operation. Scenes of the destruction below deck during investigations prior to righting of the ship. Also shown are salvage teams, airlocks, cofferdam, access holes in the ship’s hull, air breathing apparatuses and hoses, electric power ashore, patching of access holes in the hull, salvage diving boat X-14-10, USS IX-52.
S-082-C: Construction of USS Oklahoma righting gear on shore, including concrete support structures, winches, gears, and cabling. Close-up views of righting gear backstay connections to the upturned hull of the ship. Installation of righting bents and cables on hull of ship, as well as control panels. Views of inclinometers, strain gauges, and other instruments used during salvage.
S-082-D: Righting of the USS Oklahoma. Images taken throughout 1943 as the capsized battleship was rotated upright, repaired, refloated, and moved to drydock. Includes views taken on board as the ship’s main deck emerged from the water.
S-082-E: 27 images of salvage on the wreck of USS Arizona (BB-39) including removal of ammunition. Personnel are seen wearing gas masks and breathing apparatus. Also seen is USS Mississippi (BB-41).
Below is a selection of images from this collection.
